earth, Satan
will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling
brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in
the Revelation.(1065) The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by
anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out
upon the air, "Christ has come! Christ has come!" The people prostrate
themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands, and
pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He
was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In
gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious,
heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the diseases of the
people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have
changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he
has blessed. He declares that those who persist in keeping holy the
seventh day are blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels
sent to them with light and truth. This is the strong, almost
overmastering delusion. Like the Samaritans who were deceived by Simon
Magus, the multitudes, from the least to the greatest, give heed to these
sorceries, saying, This is "the great power of God."(1066)

But the people of God will not be misled. The teachings of this false
christ are not in accordance with the Scriptures. His blessing is
pronounced upon the worshipers of the beast and his image, the very class
upon whom the Bible declares that God's unmingled wrath shall be poured
out.

And, furthermore, Satan is not permitted to counterfeit the manner of
Christ's advent. The Saviour has warned His people against deception upon
this point, and has clearly foretold the manner of His second coming.
"There shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great
signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive
the very elect.... Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in
the desert; go not forth: behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it
not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto
the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."(1067) This
coming, there is no possibility of counterfeiting. It will be universally
known--witnessed by the whole world.

Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures, and who have
received the love of the truth, will be shielded from the